FoHoH Reflections

By Shalini, Seawood# Everyday we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognise: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black curious eyes of a child - our own two eyes. All is a miracle.                                   -Thich Nhat Hanh Early risers walk down the nature infused umbrella cover every morning where fresh morning dew, cool wisps of air, chirping birds, and a soft fragrance of a myriad trees beckon you. As you walk the 250 mts stretch you can almost hear your heart beat ever so gently speaking a language of sweet music. It's like nature is your best friend, only you don't notice it always. The sudden sound of a passing vehicle breaks the reverie but only momentarily. A gentle smile or a slight wave of hand or a subtle nod is exchanged among walkers, each one careful not to break the peaceful flow. ...

Sabita Menon, Pinewood Do we want to leave a legacy? This thought-provoking question could spark new insights into our own lives and experiences. Do I wish to leave a legacy behind? YES, I DO! It’s not what I leave for my family, friends, and others. It is what I leave IN them while I’m still here to participate and live through the experience. I sense time fleeting and seem more focused on the present by paying attention to the impact of my words, actions, emotions, and outlook on life. It's become more meaningful to connect with something bigger than myself. My family, friends, and society have long influenced my beliefs, values, and behaviour, laying the groundwork for my legacy. However, as my emotional maturity grows with age, I can see the consequences of a decision far into the future. I remind myself of the possibilities that exist both within and beyond what has been given to me, and what I can create and pass on. A life of fame, accomplishments, and failures d...

Madumitha Selvaraj, Bridgewood# Human beings have been sharing space since time immemorial. The concept of co-existence is a part of our lives and has multiple aspects and challenges to it. In a gated community like ours, I often wonder how we practice co-existence in a way that does not lead to friction or misunderstandings with others around us. There is an interesting idea in psychology called “Both/and Thinking”. It talks about how two seemingly contradictory thoughts can co-exist. Many times, we follow a rigid way of thinking when it comes to expressing our ideas or emotions. We go by the “either-or”, ”Black or white” or “all or nothing” formula. This means that between two ideas or points of view, one cannot exist while the other does. It’s a surprise that our minds sometimes look at every scenario dichotomously. We forget or realise too late, that, seemingly opposing ideas can and do co-exist.  For example, we feel conflicted about taking up a challenging project...

Sheena Singh# Looking at the mirror I pondered at the reflection:  the time line of my life  flashed before my eyes… I spent my entire life  believing in being right fighting against all odds, the dark and the mighty.. standing up for justice.  I was being someone   who's just upright.. I was being someone who’s just ME.. Most call it a gift                 being brave to fight against all odds.. I see it a rift; In my plans to have  all besides me I lost the love of those who mattered the most.. I sang and I preached with all my heart,  it was the only part   of who I was meant to be. The day I would know   I can never let go   my rage for perfection,  I know,to God I'm near...   I just wanted love,    this gift of obsession   for everything that’s sane   seemed a curse from ab...

Indra Rani, Birchwood# Arya Baby - A delight to watch. Everything new  Everything first time As baby sees! She knows no ' tomorrow'. No 'future' to plan for. Forgotten 'yesterday' , already. So, its ALL the present, Just Now. The secret of her joy. Walks around the entire home.  10000 steps are all done.  In an hour. Always dashing somewhere,  falling somewhere &  running somewhere. The adults sit down for a refresh. Keenly notes as kollu Patti. Tilts the bottle. To flow the water into the glass. Stands enthralled.  Watching Nana's tala. The rhythmic beat. Something different  Nani is wearing. What's that big red bindi ! Something different Nani is doing. What's that Nani is arranging.  in her pill box .  And then  Fascinated by nani brushing her teeth . Luvs every movement  As she mimics each new one . A clap . And raised fist  To say ' winner' Our Champion !  Cupping  the palm for ' tha kuppi, thandana kuppi '...

Bharani Dharan, Bridgewood# During my trip to Valparai, I was looking forward to sighting the Great Indian Hornbill in addition to some of the bird and animal species indigenous to the area. As if to dampen my spirits, I was told the season to sight this rare bird was already over. And to take it further, the first few days I tried all the usual haunts for this bird only to be left with disappointment.  But what was so special about this bird? I explored…. Its wings? The colour palette of its plumage? The nesting habit? There were so many angles in which the bird could be celebrated. That is probably why it is the state bird for 2 of Indian states, Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh. My curiosity got the better of me and I decided I was not going to leave Valparai without focusing this rare beauty in my lens. Every morning, with dense mist and teeth-chattering cold, as it was December, I would lug my 3 kilo camera up hilly terrain and through thick foliage searching to sight the Hornbill...

Sanjay, Brentwood# The Republic of Kenya is named after Mount Kenya or 'Kirinyaga', the 'Mountain of Whiteness' because of its snow-capped peak. Whatever road you choose to take to climb Mount Kenya you will inevitably see so many lakes around you. Not everyone knows that there are over 25 lakes that you can see, no matter which route you take. Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in African Continent at 5199 mts after Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Thanks to their remote location in the northeast of the massif, the "top four" Lake Alice, Lake Michaelson, Lake Ellis and Lake Rutundu offer enchanting scenery where you can enjoy a satisfying solitude and reserved for the few who venture.  In 2010 Prince William whisked Kate Middleton off for a romantic holiday in Kenya. And it turned out to be an incredibly special trip, as Wills popped the question while they were staying in an off-grid with no light,no phone, remote cabin along the shores of Lake Rutunda...

Abstract Nature photography from Thejaswini, Pinewood.

Kavitha Giri, Birchwood# Anybody who knows me would think I have always been an animal lover and love pets.  I will start this note…. Absolutely NO… If I hear any dog bark from three streets away or even from behind huge walls I used to run for life as if I’m chased by death chasing me with 4 legs and a tail with its mouth wide open and its tongue hanging out !!!🐕 I would refuse to go to school walking if I hear a dog barks from anywhere, not necessary that I should even see them to get scared. This was me when I was a kid. My mom is a very compassionate lady, she doesn’t kill even mosquitoes she will only shoo them away even today. She worked around my fear, and she slowly got me out of this phobia. Every week she would get home a cat or a dog or even a bird from her friends place just to make me feel that they don’t harm anyone if you don’t harm them and given them a sense of Safety so that they can trust human.  Only when I became 5 years old, she accomplished her mission....

Ekta Chadda, Greenwood# Ahh! It's chocolate which is craved by everyone. She's snoring hard and I've begun too in sleep as certified by my folks of late! She's salt and pepper with her otherwise sun-kissed tanned  like coat.  Myself am simultaneously graying too! She's on a prescribed diet,meds as she turns a geriatric 12 dog years this month. I am inching slowly and steadily towards that journey too! As I cursed ,the never ending snowfall,peeking out of my cloudy window,I could see a man and his dog brave their way in a six inch snowfall ,for a doggie relieve walk,I was happy that I was not outdoor unnecessary and Thank God I did not have a pet in the merciless inclement weather  in my Do All yourself ,self-serve American life. AMEN! Little did I know ,I was Granted a reverse wish and  very soon at that. Phew! Just That evening my husband drove home ,with a "Suprise for you Baby !" unraveling the carton box ,so quickly,  taking full advantage of my Caucas...

Subbu, Seawood# My 6 year old daughter Tanu always had an affinity for birds. Ever since she watched the Super Star movie 2.0 .She had been pleading us to get a pair of Cockatiel birds. I finally caved in and bought a pair. We named the birds Pakshi and Vashi inspired by the movie. Pakshi & Vashi My daughter was so excited to have her own pair of birds. She would spend hours just watching them and talking to them. Pakshi and Vashi seemed to respond to her; they would sing and dance when she talked to them. My daughter's fascination for birds soon became contagious. she was always talking to him and trying to teach him tricks. It's amazing to watch her interacting with him, and it's one of the few times she is completely focused and engaged. her birds explored new places and made countless memories. It's also been a great motivator for me. Having a pet can be a great way to relax, especially during the pandemic when many of us have been spending too much ...

Vijay, Pinewood# “Balcony Garden” - the words create a vision of a small spot in your apartment/flat with a couple of flowering plants or pothos (money plants). Many of us think that having a “garden” when you live in an apartment is a paradox. A garden is a large space, possibly in your backyard or in front of your house, with large shade giving trees, some of them maybe even yielding fruits and a few giving bountiful flowers each day. This is not exactly what comes to mind when you think of a “balcony garden” - is it? Well… you are both right and wrong! All of our Hira flats have one decent size balcony - some come with more than one too. Could the balcony be bigger - yes but it is more than sufficient to start testing how green your thumb can be. When I moved to Hira about 5 years back, I was moving from a house that had a large backyard where I was growing all kinds of vegetables and seasonal flowers to having a single balcony where my plants would be competing for space with the c...

Shankar.R, Birchwood# One secret of success in life for a man is to be ready for his opportunity, when it comes. Trust is the greatest treasure of life, because without it neither love is possible not the prayer. Peace of mind is a wonderful gift which only we can give ourselves just by expecting nothing from anyone. Big and heavy doors swing easily on small hinges. Similarly, all long term relations remain alive and steady on small gestures of care and concern. Never misuse the one who likes you, never say busy to the one who needs you, never cheat the one who really trusts you and never forget the one, who always remembers you. The hardest moments are not those when tears flow from your eyes. It is when you have to hide those tears in your eyes with a smile on your lips. Have a wonderful day. Jai mata di.🙏🌹

  Vijay, Pinewood Vijay, Pinewood Vivek, Seawood Vijay, Pinewood Srikanth, Amalfi Kavita Sharma, Bridgewood

Click here:  REFLECTIONS-Feb2023 Top Voices Geetha & Sreenivas , Amalfi Ramya Raghuraj, Brentwood Raghuraj, Brentwood A2104 Reena Amalfi Captain Raj, Bayview Subhanallah by Kirthana Nandha

Kumar Raja, Tiana# Index Funds + SIP + Power of Compounding = Financial Freedom “My Advice - Buy The Index” – Warren Buffet Nifty 50 Index is a stock market index that comprises Top 50 companies listed on the NSE. This Index is used as a benchmark for performance of Indian equity. Investing in the Nifty 50 index can be done through Index Funds or ETFs. This is a Passive Investment Strategy. Here the fund manager does not try to beat the market by picking and choosing individual stocks, but simply matches the performance of the Index. Hence the cost of fund management is significantly lower thereby passing on more returns to the investors. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a method of investing in which a fixed amount of money is invested at regular intervals, let’s say 1st of every month, into an Index Fund. SIP allows investors to average out the purchase price of the fund units over time, reducing the impact of market fluctuations. SIP allows investors to invest small a...

Dear friends, We are happy to share your February edition of Reflections newsletter. Please check out a wonderful lot! Listen to the best positive, inspiring messages from the top minds of our community.  You have some of the best artworks, photography, captures from Kenya, and finally the Art contest from Seawood. All covered.  Please click on the below link to launch our Feb2023 newsletter. https://reflections.friendsofhoh.com/search/label/reflections-feb2023 Best regards, Team FoHoH 🙏

Aditi Parwal, Edina# “तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय : Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya” (which in Sanskrit means “may the light of knowledge remove the darkness of ignorance”).